Job: Communications Officer: Social Media And Blogs

Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Employer: UN
Deadline: Wednesday, 31 July 2013

DescriptionBackground

The Agriculture and Ecosystems Blog was established in September last year, and has become a widely read and respected space for new thinking and ideas to problems of resource degradation and water scarcity. The Agriculture and Ecosystems blog space is a platform for discussion and networking on ecosystems services and resource management. It aims to stimulate conversations and be a place where scientists, development professionals and academics discuss issues on a constructive level. Critical opinions and ideas can be expressed, and new propositions and ideas can be outlined. Discussions should be forward-looking and solution-oriented. If you are ready to help shift the debate on how agriculture is planned, managed and perceived in relation to the environment, and want to help facilitate a new discourse online by using social media tools and new forms of digital media, then you need look no further than joining the CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE) and help us develop agriculture and ecosystems social media and, in particular, our popular blog. We are looking for a dynamic communications professional who can bring a creative and fresh outlook to continue to strengthen the blog as a space for discussion and debate. You will work under the overall supervision of the Coordinator - Communication, Marketing and Knowledge Management of WLE, and you will also report to the Director, Communications and Marketing at IWMI headquarters. The position holder will be based at the headquarters of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Duties and Responsibilities

Revise and update the social media strategy and the blog, in particular, to ensure that content is linked to the goals and vision of WLE, including content creation, synergies with other WLE and IWMI programs, promotion outreach, and monitoring and evaluation;

• manage all aspects of social media and the blog, including but not limited to: editing, content, promotion and outreach;

• overseeing the blogs and strengthening their usability, look and feel based on feedback;

• engaging with researchers and other 'thinkers' to develop content and ideas for the blog;

• engaging with partners and organizations to promote WLE and the blog;

• writing and editing blog pieces;

• establishing and managing a network of writers to contribute to the blog;

• developing a blog pipeline to ensure consistent and regular articles on the blog; and

• attending meetings and events as necessary.
• develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation system to understand its reach and impact and how the blog is contributing to WLE goals;
• oversee WLE social media together with the other Communications Officers of WLE, including but not limited to:
• carrying out an audit of the use of social media by WLE;
• developing a social media strategy to be used both as a tool for dissemination as well as for learning and sharing; and
• implementing, monitoring and adjusting the social media strategy as necessary.
• support WLE and IWMI communication and knowledge management plans as necessary; and
• build capacity and understanding of blogging and social media amongst researchers and managers.

You will possess:

• a degree in marketing, communications, journalism or a related field;
• an excellent understanding of science communication. Alternatively, a degree in science, development or a related field, with formal training in journalism, communications or marketing or significant equivalent work experience; and
• at least 2-5 years of experience in research communication, social media or environment related fields.

Complete Application Form + attach your résumé + attach your letter which addresses IWMI's requirements shown above with names and email addresses of 3 professional referees, to be contacted if you are short-listed Please submit your application on-line at:www.iwmi.org/About_IWMI/Vacancies/Closing date:July31,2013

Your application will be acknowledged automatically within 24 hours. If not, please email us at work-at-iwmi@cgiar.org

The International Water Management Institute (www.iwmi.org) is an international, non-profit research organization dedicated to improving the management of land and water resources for food, livelihoods and the environment. IWMI is a member of CGIAR, an international consortium of agricultural research centers. IWMI is an equal opportunity employer and is keen to further diversify its staff in terms of both gender and nationality. (Continued...)

Colombo, Sri Lanka

It would be advantageous if you had:

• a good understanding of issues related to food and water research for development, and land and ecosystems, and how this relates to resilience, food security and environmental degradation;
• experience in writing and editing for the web;
• excellent, in-depth knowledge and understanding in the use of new technologies for communications and outreach, including web and multimedia tools, and a willingness to explore developing technologies;
• sound knowledge of WordPress or other content management systems;
• superior communications skills in both spoken and written English;
• the ability to effectively interact with people at all levels in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary environment;
• the ability to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds;
• the ability to work closely with the WLE and IWMI communications colleagues and partners to ensure that information is shared widely within both programs;
• the ability to work virtually and independently while maintaining close ties with staff based around the world; and
• the ability to be proactive, responsive and be willing to think out of the box.

This is an internationally recruited position with a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a housing allowance, transport, education, shipping assistance, annual home leave and health insurance package. The candidate will be appointed initially on a two-year contract, which is subject to renewal depending on performance and the Institute's needs.